Nature of the Program
Aspen Achievement Academy is a program offered by Aspen Education Group for underachieving, hard-to-reach, treatment-resistant adolescents. We have a
flexible length of stay, with a minimum enrollment of 35 days. The program provides a multidimensional method of treatment by combining an extensive
diagnostic assessment with individual components of traditional therapy, experiential education, and "hands-on" outdoor learning. Aspen uses creative
approaches with its outdoor experiences and a cooperative family-like environment to enhance traditional treatment methods. The Academy is founded on
the philosophy that the combination of experiential learning and cognitive process is the most effective means to treat our students.
New students entering Aspen Academy are assigned to a treatment group that is specially selected for them on the basis of their problems and therapeutic needs.
A treatment group consists of a therapist, teacher, medical personnel, field counselors and other students.
All new students join a group whose members are at different stages of the program. The benefits of entering a group with an established positive
peer culture include positive behavior modeled by peers, an opportunity for "seasoned" students to help new students, and a chance to observe behaviors
that are expected of them as they progress in the program.
It is expected that while at Aspen, each student will successfully complete an assessment period and have the opportunity to experience four program phases for graduation. These are described in detail below:
Critical components also include:
As an example of a scenario that may occur when a new student arrives at Aspen Achievement Academy, take a moment to read "Ben's Story"